# 1st Bedworth Preparing young people with skills for life AGM Report 2023 - 2024 ## Group details ## **Headquarters Address** : The Scout Headquarters, Off Church Way, Bedworth, Warwickshire, CV12 8LH **Email** : info@1stbedworth.co.uk **Website** : www.1stbedworth.co.uk **Facebook** : 1st Bedworth Scout Group **Charity Registration Number** : 1062109 ## Members of the Group Trustee Board during 2023 – 2024 _Group Chairperson_ Jason Arrowsmith _Group Chairperson_ Andy Clarke _Group Lead Volunteer (Group Scout Leader)_ Luke Davis _Group Treasurer_ Samantha Checklin _Group Secretary_ Victoria Coyle _Elected Member_ Richard Ellis _Elected Member_ Charlie Hart _Beaver Team Leader (Beaver Scout Leader)_ Danielle Randle _Cub Team Leader (Cub Scout Leader)_ Phil Meek _Explorer Team Leader (Explorer Scout Leader)_ _Group Lead Volunteer (Group Scout Leader)_ _Explorer Team Leader (Explorer Scout Leader)_ Page 2 ## Table of contents |Table of contents|| |---|---| |**Group details**|**2**| |**Members of the Group Executive Committee during 2023 – 2024**|**2**| |**Did you know?**|**4**| |**Group Chairperson’s Report**|**5**| |Delivering the Scouting Programme|5| |Help and support going forward|5| |**Group Lead Volunteer’s Report**|**6**| |**Treasurer’s report**|**8**| |**Beaver Section Report**|**9**| |**Cub Section Report**|**10**| |**Scout Section Report**|**11**| |**Explorer Section Report**|**12**| Page 3 ## Did you know? 1st Bedworth held its first meeting in 1910 and has been a constant presence in the Bedworth Community since that date with thousands of youngsters and adults ‘passing through our doors’. We celebrated our ‘official’ centenary in 2014 because we didn’t register with ‘Headquarters’ until 1914 for reasons that are lost in history. We are one of the largest Scout Groups in Warwickshire and still growing. We currently have 31 Beavers in our Beaver Colony, 42 Cubs in 2 Cub Packs, 52 Scouts in 2 Scout Troops & 24 Explorers in our Explorer Unit. Our youngsters are supported by 45 adults in Leader or Support roles. All of these adults are volunteers and receive no payment. Haddon (Tuesday) Scout Troop was the very first ‘girls only’ Scout Troop in England & Wales and we believe it was the only ‘girls only’ Troop until we merged the two Troops together in 2023. All of the Adult members of 1st Bedworth have enhanced DBS (CRB) Disclosures, are first aid trained and receive additional training appropriate to their role. During an average year: - Members of 1st Bedworth camp for over 900 nights on 20 different overnight activities - Members earn over 1500 activity badges and our badge bill is around £1700 - It costs around £8,500 to light, heat, insure & maintain our headquarters building (Scout Hut) - We provide over 9000 contact sessions for our youth members With the exception of some large equipment purchases, all of the costs of providing the headquarters building, running weekly activities, buying badges, insurance, training leaders and so on are paid by the monthly membership fee (subs) of £12 (increased to £13 in May 2024) that each youth member pays. Page 4 ## Group Chairperson’s Report Firstly, I would like to say a huge thank you to the Executive Committee, leaders and supporters of all the sections at 1st Bedworth Scout Group. They have been amazing throughout this challenging year. People have been very generous with their free time and helped in various ways including attending our meetings, fundraising, providing transport and general maintenance of the scout hut. This great team helps to keep our group going. Without you we could not deliver scouting, thank you. ## Delivering the Scouting Programme Please read our Annual Section Reports from Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers. I hope you agree that the activities, camps, programmes and achievements undertaken this last year with young people are impressive. The Beaver, Cub, Scout and Explorer Sections continue to deliver a wide range of activities and opportunities including district camp, cub & scout canal narrowboat camp, beavers Gulliver’s World trip, group summer camp, Explores Nike. The group took part in the district St George's day parade and Bedworth’s Armistice Day parade. In total this is over 30 different camps and activities across the group. This is on top of the weekly meetings being delivered every week giving our young people skills they will use for the rest of their lives. I am also pleased to report our leaders have continued to undertake the necessary training to deliver Scouting of the highest quality. We are also investing in our Young Leaders and it’s great to see their enthusiasm and commitment to the group - thank you. ## Help and support going forward As Scouting continues to evolve, we have implemented the Scout Group’s Trustee Board. The group trustees will continue to provide charity governance to the group whilst the Group Leadership team will deliver the operational tasks within the group. Throughout the past 12 months we have continued to reach out to parents and guardians through our leaders to provide support to the group for which we have had a great response. This has enabled us to deliver many of our activities and camps and complete maintenance days at the scout hut. The group are extremely grateful for your ongoing and continued support and would very much welcome any new volunteers and encourage existing volunteers to continue. Finally, thank you again to all members for their continued engagement in the group, and we encourage you all to continue to give feedback on the group’s activities no matter how big or small, to ensure the group can continue to deliver the best Scouting experience possible. ## **Jason Arrowsmith** _Group Chairperson_ Page 5 ## Group Lead Volunteer’s Report During the course of the last year, we have continued Scouting in full swing and that could not have happened without the support of every volunteer, Youth Member and their families coming together as a team. **Thank you** . 1st Bedworth has seen over 30 camps and extra activities over the last year, on top of our regular weekly meeting nights. It was a good year for 1st Bedworth which has seen our membership steadily increase, our members taking part in a huge variety of activities which are delivered by a dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer team, supported by our amazing Trustees and Support teams, and work underway behind the scenes to look to the future and laying the foundation for some changes coming soon. We are in a strong position going forward. We continue to be one of the most active Groups in Nuneaton. Our headquarters building known as the ‘Scout Hut’ is fit for purpose and provides a great base for our weekly meetings and for overnight activities. We are continuing to steadily develop our facilities. Over the last year we have seen the continuation of the reboarding of the exterior walls and the updating of the outdoor lighting. Thank you to everyone who has been involved with any aspect of this work. Our members in all Sections have been working hard towards their badges and awards and a massive total of **759 activity badges** and challenge awards, **8 Chief Scout Bronze** awards, **1 Chief Scout Silver** awards and **5 Chief Scout Gold** awards have been awarded across the Group. 1st Bedworth has been incredibly active in the community over the last year, with members of our Leadership team supporting Nuneaton District with activities for the King’s Coronation celebrations, and Mel & Jess, two of our Leaders, helping out at Windsor on the big day. We have assisted with the Bedworth Lions Santa Run and the Civic Bonfire for a number of years now. We are always out in force on the British Legion Remembrance Day Parade and we have a growing presence on the annual Armistice Day Parade. Jamie and Tash, who are Explorer Scouts and Young Leaders, successfully attended the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea after many months of hard work fundraising for the opportunity. The 25th World Scout Jamboree was held at the 8.84-square kilometre SaeManGeum coastal campsite in South Korea from 01 August 2023 to 12 August 2023. Hosting more than 40,000 young people and volunteers from around the world, the theme and focus for the Jamboree was to 'Draw Your Dream'. While there were some challenges faced during this Jamboree, and it evolved into a different experience than what was planned, our members were safe and had an incredible time creating lasting friendships and memories. We are very proud of Peter, who is a Network Scout and Leader, who is working incredibly hard raising the funds to attend an international Network event. Since we launched our parent rota in November 2021, where we are asking that all parents/carers commit to volunteering at least 1 night every 6 months at a meeting with (or without!) their child, we have had a huge total of **140 extra volunteers** on meeting nights and even more on different camps and activities. Your help and support has been invaluable to the successful running of our Group; **thank you** . A huge thank you to our Young Leader Team who are active and provided superb Leadership support to our Page 6 Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. Young Leaders are aged between fourteen and eighteen years old. They give up a lot of their time to work on their Leadership training and to play a full part as members of the Section Leadership teams to plan and run activities for our younger members. They receive training which includes safeguarding and First Aid to give them the tools they need for this very important role. I would like to thank all of the volunteers of the Leadership and Support teams for their dedication and hard work providing a first rate Scouting experience for all of our members. I would also like to thank all of our Beavers, Cubs, Scouts & Explorers for being so enthusiastic and supporting our activities, demonstrating great teamwork and supporting each other and their Leaders. You are a credit to your parents and peers. Finally I would like to thank all of our parents and carers who, week after week, make sure our members are able to attend their activities, supporting the Leaders and for helping their child/ward get the most out of Scouting. ## **Andy Clarke** _Group Lead Volunteer (Group Scout Leader)_ Page 7 ## Treasurer’s report 1st Bedworth Scout Group has had a very good year, with stable growth in our membership and a variety of adventurous activities throughout the year. The overall accounts show a cash surplus of £492. Our overall Subscriptions Received increased from £13,622 to £16,447, which includes gift aid claims of £2,681. Our subscription fees received was £13,766, up £136 on last year. Subs compliance is slightly down year on year, something the group leadership team is actively working on. We appreciate all of your support in paying your child’s subs in a timely manner so that we can continue to provide fun and adventure for your children. Last year we increased our Subscription fees from £10 to £12 per month, the first Subs increase in 8 years. The small surplus shows the necessity of this decision as we faced rising operating costs. Our overall expenses decreased by around 18% from £41,344 to £34,009, however this is predominantly driven by less expenses on large camps which are covered outside of Subscription Fees. Outside of this our running costs have remained relatively flat across the year, mostly due to the first half of the year being protected by fixed energy rates. The second half of the year saw an increase in costs that is expected to continue into the next financial year. Overall 1st Bedworth has been very successful in managing expenses in line with the cost of living impact, and is in a strong position to continue doing so in the future. **Luke Davis** _Group Treasurer_ Page 8 ## Beaver Section Report 2023/2024 has been a great year for the beavers, we joined the rest of the group at the Nuneaton District Camp, which saw the beavers camping in a tent for two nights, taking part in a variety of activities such as kayaking, go karting, bouldering and rifle shooting. We also joined the rest of the beavers from nuneaton district on an exciting trip to Gullivers Kingdom, The winter took us on our winter camp, where we completed the experiments badge as we transformed the scout hut into our very own science lab! We have awarded a massive **180 badges** this year, with **eight of the Beavers completing their Chief Scout Bronze award** , which is the highest award in the Beaver Section. A massive thank you to all the parents that we have had support us via the Parent Rota, your continued support allows us to provide such a varied programme for the Beavers. Finally a massive thank you to Graham Cheney and Jo Ridgway for all their support and hardwork and good luck to them and the other leaders with the reopening of Woodward beaver colony The beavers have had a great year and we look forward to the adventures the next year brings. ## **Charlie Hart** _On behalf of the Beaver Leadership Team_ Page 9 ## Cub Section Report This past year has been marked by tremendous accomplishment, learning, and adventure for Hopkins and Walton Cub Packs. The achievements and the development of our Cub Scouts have been remarkable, thanks to the unwavering dedication of our volunteer leaders and the continuing support of the parents. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the parents whose support, whether through volunteering or even driving Cubs to events, has been invaluable. Your involvement is crucial to our success. Over the year we have awarded a total of **273 badges, 26 joining in awards, and 1 Chief Scout Silver Award** . We have organised several successful camping trips, including Narrowboat camp, Summer Camp and our District Cubs camp, providing the opportunity to learn essential and fun outdoor skills. A huge congratulations to the Cubs for their hard work and involvement. Keep up the excellent work, and we look forward to the exciting plans and achievements in the coming years. ## **Dale Hammond & Danni Randle** _On behalf of the Cub Leadership Team_ Page 10 ## Scout Section Report 2023/24 has been a brilliant year for both Haddon and Wilson Troops, with **224 badges** in total being awarded to Scouts in both Troops, along with **4 Chief Scout Gold Awards** . Over the past year Scouts have had the opportunity to take part in a multitude of camps and activities. Some highlights include; hill walking and kayaking down the river Wye in wales; the super troop challenge where Scouts hiked to bases, completed challenges, and raced to arrive back at the Scout Hut first; a week long summer camp at Phasels Wood where Scouts took part in adventurous on site activities, and also had the opportunity to visit the natural history and science museums in London, and have a swim in Hyde Park; and most of all the fundraising camp in February 2024 where Scouts managed to raise a total of £516.64 for their chosen charities. We are proud of the achievements Scouts have made this year and the ones they will continue to make. We would like to thank the continuous support of the Haddon and Wilson leadership team for showing up each week and to the planning meetings to deliver a brilliant programme. We would like to thank Andy for his support to the Scout sections and the wider Group. We would also like to thank Jason Arrowsmith, Jo Arrowsmith, Richard Bond, Joanne Bond, Richard Walton, and Paul Tedds for their support on summer camps. ## **Mel Bond & Stuart Dunnigan** _On behalf of the Scout Leadership Team_ Page 11 ## Explorer Section Report At Explorers we try to make the program enjoyable and educational by offering a varied program. We try to teach the members all the life skills to be able to cope in today’s society from cooking and socialising, to working with people they would not normally choose to work with. In addition to the normal meeting nights the Explorers have taken part in several activities involving the other Explorer Units from Nuneaton and Bedworth District like the district activity day, being able to meet new explorers or realising that people they already know are also explorer scouts. The young leaders have been very helpful with some of them helping plan some programmes and others engaging the members of other sections and helping deliver the programmes. The explorer unit has dropped in size this year but is steadily growing again and all of the explorers we have all have no problem getting involved in any activity. It has been a pleasure working with and getting to know all of the Explorers as we have a variety of personalities within the Unit which makes it enjoyable to see how each member develops by learning new skills. ## **Phil Meek** _On behalf of the Explorer Leadership Team_ Page 12 I" BEDWORTH SCOUT GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Registered Charity Number 1062109 Arn]strongs Bishop Simmons Limited Gethin House 36 Bond Street Nuneaton Warwickshire CVII 4DA Pag¢ I Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the I" Bedworth Scout Group I report to the charity trustces on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 2 to 6. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,). I report in rcspect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicablc Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completcd my examination. I confirni that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any matcrial respect: . accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act. or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requircments concerning the forni and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Mrs J A Biggs FCCA, CTA Arnistrongs Bishop Simmons Limitcd Chartered Accountants Gethin House 36 Bond Street Nuneaton WaNiickshire CVII 4DA Date: Page 2 1st BEDWORTH SCOUT GROUP STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Note 2024 2023 Income Subscriptions received Camps and activities Fund raising activities Rent and other income 16,447 12,793 205 5,057 13,622 16.601 976 49,469 10 34,501 80,668 Expenditure Fund raising costs Activities and awards Rent, rates and insurance Power, light and heat Printing, postage and stationery Equipment hire and maintenance Premises expenses Accountancy Other costs BBC Children in Need grant expenditure 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 2,015 17,806 3,586 2,260 464 2,064 23,494 3,869 2,402 380 540 6,957 1,551 516 7,052 396 20 21 34,009 41,344 Surplus before depreciation 492 39,324 Depreciation 19 Net Surplus 492 39,324 Page 3 1st BEDWORTH SCOUT GROUP BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2024 Note 2024 2023 Fixed Assets Leasehold Property Equipment Furniture and Fixtures Current Assets Stock Prepayments Bank 694 3,558 118,766 1.113 3,224 117,623 123,019 1,083 121,960 516 Current Liabilities Net Current Assets 121,936 121,444 Net Assets 121,936 121,444 Financed by: Revaluation reserve Surplus brought forward Surplus for year Transfer to revaluation reserve 121,444 492 82,120 39,324 Surplus carried fonvard 121,936 121,444 121,936 121,444 Page 4 1st BEDWORTH SCOUT GROUP NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Note Description 2024 2023 Fixed Assets Leasehold Property Leasehold Property DeprecÉation Equipment Equipment Depreciation Furniture and Fixtures Furniture and Fixtures Depreciation 50,000 (50,000) 17,337 (17,337) 585 585 50,000 (50,000) 17,337 (17,337) 585 (585) On I st April 1998, the scout hut and equipment were revalued at £50,000 and £9,750 respectively. FÉxed assets are depreciated, on a straight line basis, over their estimated useful lives. Estimated uscful lives are as follows: Leasehold propety Equipment Furniture and fixtures 20 years 7 years 7 years 20 years 7 years 7 years Stocks of Miscellaneous Goods 694 1,113 Prepayments 3,558 3,224 Prepayments represent insurance premiums either paid or contracted for in advance of the period of service/ cover and therefore not charged to the Statement of Income and Expenditure. Bank Current Account Capitation Account Building Fund OSM Account Natwest Account Pety Cash 3,205 80,328 27,859 769 6,291 315 4,819 82,845 27,370 1,358 1,231 117,623 118,766 Accruals 1,083 516 Page 5 1st BEDWORTH SCOUT GROUP NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Note Deseription 2024 2023 Revaluation Reserve The balance on the revaluation reserve represents thc £59.750 surplus on revaluation of the leasehold propety and equipment, less cumulative depreciation of £59,750 charged on the revalued assets. Subscriptions Received Gift Aid Received 13,766 2,681 16,447 13,622 13,622 Income - Camps and Activities 12,793 16,601 Income - Fund Raising Activities Income - Tuckshop 205 976 205 976 l O Donations Received Interest Received Miscellaneous Income Uniforn]s 370 1,971 31 2,685 5,057 47,534 500 313 1,122 49,469 I l Local Authority COVID Related Support Grants Scouts Association Recovery Fund 12 Goods Purchased for Resale Opening Stock Closing Stock 1,596 1,113 694) 2,015 1,641 1,536 (1,113 2,064 13 Activities and Awards Badges and Awards Equipment and Supplies 15,311 1,047 1,448 17,806 19,002 2,121 2,371 23,494 Page 6 1st BEDWORTH SCOUT GROUP NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Note Description 2024 2023 14 Rates &Water Rates Premises and Equipment Insurance Ground Rent 635 2,951 759 3,110 3,586 3,869 15 Electricity 2,260 2,402 16 Website costs Office Stationery 464 464 17 Mini Bus Hire Equipment Repairs 18 Buildings Maintenance 380 1,551 19 Leasehold Premises Depreciation Equipment Depreciation 20 Training Costs Capitation Fees Bank Charges Computer Costs Licences Miscellaneous Expenses 347 5,528 125 575 5,529 170 96 861 225 553 6,957 7,052 21 rr Equipment Expedition Kits Repayment 396 396